Happy New Year! Let's Work-Out!

Happy New Year!

I really hope 2014 is a good one for you all!  Anyone make any New Year's resolutions?  Anyone stick to the ones they made in the beginning of 2013?  I for one am not one to make resolutions because I know by February or March those promises will be a thing of the past.  I did, however, say a few years ago I'd start working out and I've been able to stick with that.  Not consistently but I've been pretty proud of myself for the efforts I have been making.  I love working out.  It gives me energy and makes me feel great afterward.  A lot of people don't want to hear all that workout "crap" but I do want to use this blog to document any workout routines and challenges I do.  If you're willing to join in go for it!

It's the beginning of the month and the start of a new year so let's do this right.  I started this morning with the popular squat challenge I've been doing for awhile.  You start the month by doing 50 and end doing 250.  Easy enough, right?  Next month I've got an even bigger squat challenge.  I thought I'd start the year a little simple.

I also added an ab challenge.  

 Of course I didn't stop there.  I did some more squats (some with weights) and more crunches, reverse crunches, bicycle crunches, leg lifts and I also lifted weights for my arms.  

My husband always tells me the best way to lose weight is to build muscle and there is no better way to build muscle then by strength training.  I have muscles growing in my arms and legs that never existed before (ha ha!)  I love it!  It's become more determination to keep me going.  

I will add more challenges and document my achievements (including pictures).  I'm doing this for me but if you are interested in joining in please do.  If I can motivate others then that's just an added bonus. 

I also found this on Pinterest which is great.  I not only want to work on my physical health but my mental health as well.

Here are my goals for 2014:

• Get fit/eat healthier
• Run at least one 5K
• Greet every experience and challenge with a positive attitude
• Work on bettering my relationship with God
• Less time on the internet
• Work on bettering my attitude
• Letting go of things in the past and things I have no control over
• Attending church more
• Focusing more on what makes my husband and children happier
• Renovate kitchen 
• Write a book (yes my dream in life is to be a writer and I have an idea for a novel.  Time to sit down and make that dream happen).  

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!  Make it a good one!

I'll be back tomorrow to update on our Christmas.  Today is my husband and son's last day of vacation so we're going to soak up every moment of it together. 

The Season Has Begun

Can you believe that it's almost Christmas?  22 days to be exact!  My son is counting down and reminds me every morning of how many days we have.  He's so excited.  My daughter, being only two, still doesn't quite understand what Christmas is all about but seeing the tree and the decorations are enough to get her excited.  When she sees Santa she'll say "Jesus" but that's okay.  It's the best time of the year for these children and I love seeing the holidays through their eyes.

The day after Thanksgiving we took all the decorations out of the attic and started to set everything up.  The artificial pre-lit tree we've had for the last 7 or so years had a few strands of lights that stopped working.  My husband,who already tried fixing it last year, decided instead of fussing over it again it was time to get a new one.  The new one is smaller than the other but it's perfect.  The kids busied themselves decorating most of it.  There are still plenty of bare spots around the tree but that just leaves more room to add onto our ornament collection in the years to come.  We have a tradition of buying a new ornament or two each year and that's something we still have to do for this year.  We don't have many decorations for the house but what we have is enough.

 

 The angel that sits on top of our tree was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago.  She keeps watch over us during the Christmas season.  

The stockings are hanging from a shelf in our living room.  In the middle is our porcelain nativity scene, also from Mother-In-Law. 

 A little garland wraps around the bannister.  Excuse the boxes.  They have to go back in the attic.

And here's my homemade snowman behind the door.  I love this!  Thank you Pinterest!  

We have a collection of stuffed toys too.  The children had fun adding window cling stickers to the living room window.

Our next step is getting the outside decorating done but since my husband has been fighting a horrible cold he hasn't had the chance.  I love how the neighborhood homes are already setting up.

I started a new tradition with the kids.  I bought them each an advent calendar.  Every day you open up a door and there is a small chocolate candy surprise.  My uncle bought one for me when I was little and I've been wanting to do the same for my kids.  I also found an advent calendar you can do with Bible verses but we have some catching up to do there.

Also, this time of year means lots of food, candy, cake, pies, etc. will be consumed.  A good reason to break a sweat with the 30 Day Challenge.

30 Day Squat/Abs Challenge - November 2013

November is here!  I can't believe it.  The year is almost over.  How did that happen so quickly?  In a few weeks we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving which means lots and lots of good and not-so-healthy food.  

Since a new month is upon us it gives us a new opportunity to start fresh.  Over the summer I found a 30 Day Squat Challenge online and decided to give it a try.  I stuck with it for three consecutive months and then, for some reason, gave up.  I'm still very much interested in fitness and keeping up with it but a busy life happened and I wasn't as regular with exercising as I wanted to be.  Also, I had a goal to run in a 5K on Thanksgiving.  That's not going to happen either.  I haven't been consistent with running and haven't built the endurance and stamina it would take to run over three miles.  I know three miles doesn't seem like a big deal but it is to me.  I'm not a runner ... yet I want to do whatever I can to become one.  I had a goal set to run every morning in the summer but I barely made it happen.  Ugh!  I can kick myself for giving up.  My husband even took me to the store to buy a new pair of running shoes.  Well let's make this clear, I haven't given up and I won't.  It's time to get back into it!

I created another blog specifically to be a log for my exercise goals and achievements.  I wasn't updating that enough so I decided to shut it down and just write my progress on here.  So here we go.

 

I already completed Day 1 and also added a few other exercises.  My body aches right now but I know that's a good feeling, a feeling that will pay off in the long run.  I also use a barbell when doing the squats.  Adding weights is what adds the muscles (my husband keeps reminding me of that).  Start light and then keep adding.  The more weight the better the result. 

So if you're interested in joining me on this challenge I wish you lots of luck.   

How To Do A Basic Squat